Just Add DSP

I have to say that I love school holidays.  Not only do I get to turn off the alarm clock, there are no lunch boxes to pack, no homework to do, and lots of slow starts to the morning.  Of course that could be due to the lots of late nights that I have over the holidays, crafting.  Yes, I am a night owl (maybe that's why I love the Twilight books??? LOL)

I realised while I was deliberating over what to do with this weeks challenge over at Just Add Ink, that the prize pack that I made up for Jo, who won my colour challenge recently, fit the bill perfectly. 

So here is my entry into JAI23 - Just Add Patterned Paper (or DSP)

This is a desk set gift box that I've made up.  The gift box itself is a box that I bought some make up in, which just happened to be Real Red.  I've covered the top (which had the brand embossed on it) with the red flower paper from the Pink Flamingo DSP pack. 

Here is a close up of the note block stack.

And here is the mini clipboard.

I've stamped the note paper with a single image from the triple flower stamp from Eastern Blooms.  When I got this set, I got Hubby to saw the triple wood block into three and I split the stamps into individual images.   I find this far easier to use, as I have them separate for when I just want one, but I can still line them up (like the original image ) with the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  I love it when stamps do double duty!!

Happy Stamping.......Manda

Time for an Inkspiration Challenge.

I have been a follower of Makeesha Byl's blog for a long, long time as she is a friend of my friend and upline, Steph Pike.  I have admired Keesh's work and have often completed one of her challenges, though long after the competition has closed.  My kids are on school holidays at the moment, and as you might have noticed by the increased amount of blog posts, I have been able to spend some time crafting. 

So, shock horror, I have completed another challenge, a colour challenge.  Here it is.

You might have seen my last post, where I made DD1 a butterfly frame.  Well DD2's favourite colour is orange, so I thought I'd play along with Keesh's challenge and make another frame.  This time, I've used a butterfly stamp set and matching die cut template from PaperTrey Ink called Butterfly Dreams.  (Thanks Cassie for the loan!)

This is a photo of the picture before I have put it in the frame.  I've used the colours from the challenge, and added some of the dollar shop gemstones.  I've used dimensionals on the top left and bottom right butterflies, to give them a bit of a difference.

Here is the photo in the frame, please excuse the glare on the glass of the frame.

Happy Stamping........Manda

JAI22 Take 2

While I'm on a roll........

I've had this frame in my stash of "things that I find while shopping that I can use one day to stamp with".  (LOL - am I the only one who has a draw or three like this????)  I got it at the local dollar shop, and it had a hideous picture in it.  But, being me, I thought, "I can take that home and one day I'll get to take that awful picture out of the shadow box frame, and stamp something fabulous for the kids bedrooms."

Well as you can see, there is not much stamping on this one, but I still really like how it turned out.  Here is a photo of the insert before I put it in the frame.  You can see where I've stamped the outline from Flight of the Butterfly in Rich Razzleberry ink underneath the punched DSP from Pink Flamingo.  I've then sponged the edges of the butterflies with Tempting Turquoise before adding some tiny clear gemstones, again from the cheap shop.

Before I put the insert into the frame I bent up the wings of the butterflies using a ruler to make sure that they were all the same.

This frame will go into DD1's bedroom, as she has a turquoise and white doona cover, so it will match beautifully. 

Coincidentally, the colours that I've used (Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White) also match this weeks colour challenge over at Just Add Ink.  So this frame is also my second entry for JAI22. 

Happy Stamping.......Manda

Melon Mambo Madness

I thought I'd share with you a card that I taught at last weeks technique class.

This was a two-fold technique, as not only did we do the cool distressed flowers, but we also learnt how to make our own buttons, so that no matter what project you are working on, you will always have a button to match. 

It's really simple........Here's how.

1. 
   
   Punch out 3 circles, in your desired size, from card stock or DSP.
2. 
   
   Use 2 way glue to adhere them together.
3. 
   
   Poke holes in the desired pattern.
4. 
   
   Apply Crystal Effects over the top, avoiding the holes.
5. 
   
   Allow to dry.
6. 
   
   Thread ribbon, string, or a really thin strip of card stock through the holes.
7. 
   
   Attach to your project, either with a glue dot or dimensional.

Here is a close up of my faux button.

After the class had finished, I had some extra card stock cut to size, so I have adapted the remaining C/S to make up a few other cards. 

The first card is still a birthday card, but one that can be used when you remember in advance. LOL.

Stamp sets are All a Flutter and A Little Birthday Cheer.  Colours are Melon Mambo and Soft Suede.

Then I decided to change to Vintage Vogue, and change the design slightly.  I had misplaced the SS middle strips of CS, so I used the border stamp to imitate the strip. 

But then I wasn't sure if I liked that or not, so I made up another one without the centre strip.  Even though it looks far simpler, I think I prefer the second one.

I'd love to have your opinion on which card you prefer - Soft Suede middle stamp or not.  Please leave me a comment letting me know which you think works better. 

Happy Stamping.......Manda

JAI22 - Colour Challenge

OMG OMG OMG!!!

I have actually got another challenge completed in time to enter it. Over at Just Add Ink they have a colour challenge this week, using Rich Razzlebury, Kiwi Kiss, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White.

I've made another scrap book page. I know.....not my normal, as I'm normally a card maker, but I'm working on a project and I incorporated the challenge into this page.

Here is my entry. (Please ignore the spot over the face.....It's not part of the challenge)

I have stamped the background of the page with the large flower from Fifth Avenue Floral from SU! in Kiwi Kiss Ink.

I then ran some Whisper White C/S through the Big Shot with the Manhattan Flower Embossing Plate. With the negative side up, or what you would normally think of as the back, I have then brayered over it with Rich Razzleberry. To get the two shades of RR, I have carefully rolled the brayer on scrap paper to take off most of the ink, and then brayered over the negative side. This stops the extra ink from going into the valleys of the impression plate, and also allows for a build up of colour in some areas, which gives you the variation of colour.

Happy Stamping..........Manda

Colour Challenge Entries.

Hi Everyone......

Thought I'd pop in and publish the entries for my colour challenge. Unfortunately, there were not many entries. I"m not sure if this is because

• you didn't like the colours that I (the colour wheel) chose
• you ran out of time
• you didn't get a chance to take a photo because of the dull weather
• you don't like colour challenges
• you don't read my blog. LOL

Anyway I have 3 entries to show you, from 2 wonderful stamping friends of mine.

First we have Cassie's entry.

(I think the Really Rust is hiding underneath the Tempting Turquoise of the frame around the words - Cassie told me that she doesn't like RR much! LOL)

This is Jo's first entry.

And here is Jo's second entry.

And the winner is.....................

Jo's card #2

Congratulations Jo.....Look out for something arriving in your mail box soon. (DD1 and DD2 helped me chose the winner)

Thanks for playing. Happy Stamping......Manda

JAI21 - A Sketch Challenge

I often take inspiration from sketches that appear in blog land, but normally by the time I get around to actually using the sketch, the challenge is over.


Amazingly, this long weekend, we are having a quiet weekend at home, the kids are happily playing WII, DS has discovered Disney's Aristocats DVD and I've had some time to sit at my craft desk. OMG!


Even more amazingly, I have actually used a sketch challenge and finished the project before the time is up. OMG! OMG!

Here is the Just Add Ink Challenge 21 sketch.

And here is my entry.

Not my usual colour palette, but I had to take inspiration from the photo. Also please excuse the spray paint over personal details.

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Whisper White.
Inks: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Green Galore, Gable Green.
Stamp Set: Circle Circus
Accessories: Flower Brad, 3/4 inch circle punch (for the scallops), Circle Scissors.
Non SU: White ribbon, glue gemstone, silver cord(SU retired).

Here is a close up on the make your own DSP.

And here is a close up on the bow.

My apologies for the not so great photos, but it is a miserable grey day here, so I had to take photos inside.

Wish me luck with the challenge, hopefully I'll link it correctly!

Happy Stamping.....Manda

Kids Ideas.....

As some of you know, I volunteer at the children's school, where I run a Lunchtime Activities program doing stamping with the kids. I do have some very special helpers (waving at you Cassie, Michelle and Jo!) Each week the children create a card or project which hopefully they like, which has a purpose, and which can be achieved inside a 30 minute time frame. Sometimes, this is a bit of a challenge, especially with the Year 1's. LOL.

Anyway, I thought I'd share with you a project that the kids made on Friday. It's a bookmark, which is something that they can use, and to a certain extent personalise. Not that you can tell from this photo (sorry that Brisbane blue sky is hiding today, hence the lovely photo of my kitchen bench top), but the bookmark is actually Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White and Basic Black. The stamp set is called A Beautiful Thing.

The children chose stamps from a variety that I had available, and they had an assortment of colours. The one in the photo was my sample for them to copy from.

Happy Stamping......Manda

Pink Flamingo Designer Paper

Hi Everyone.....as some of you will have seen if you receive my monthly emailed newsletter, Stampin' Up! are running a fabulous promotion this month where we have 4 weekly deals. This weeks special is on Designer Series Paper.

I am just slightly addicted to DSP - funny that really. Believe it or not, but I even had a paper collection back when I was in primary school. So gotta say that I'm loving this weeks deal!

Here is a sample card that I've made with Pink Flamingo DSP.

When I bought my Big Shot from the current SU! Mini Catty, I wasn't sure how to use it for cards. I've since solved that problem! This card features a Big Shot Die which cuts out the word 'wish'. This is the only non SU! component to the card. I thought that the word would make a really cool addition to the front of a card. You could easily replicate this with the Big Shot Alphabet in the Mini Catty.

Here is the same basic idea, but this time with a Christmas card. The DSP on this on is retired Ski Slope paper.

Happy Stamping......Manda

Retiring Colours

Hi Everyone.

Just a quick post today to let you know some important news. Stampin' Up! have announced to demonstrators that once current stock of the retiring colours is depleted, it will not be replenished. So what that means is that if there is a colour that you CANNOT live without that is on the list below, I would suggest that you order it NOW!

To remind you, here is a list of the retiring colours.

Either email me at jatla@aapt.net.au or give me a call to order those colours now. Don't forget your co-ordinating products, such as ribbon, ink pads and DSP will also be retiring, so you might like to have a look at those too.

Happy Stamping......Manda